Children of all ages, skill levels, genders, and backgrounds have one thing in common. They want to feel wanted. Feeling as if they are a part of something greater is a communal bond that keeps even the shyest child included.
The importance of introducing sport, especially the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to children is wildly beneficial as a support system and sense of belonging. An active child is less likely to use their energy for negativity.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can help keep kids off the street by offering so many beneficial and sought-after implementations into their lives such as healthy relationships, goals and the mastery of discipline.
Cultivating Healthy Relationships
Reflecting back, we can all remember one or two people in our lives that made an impact. Influential coaches, teachers, and instructors are among the many who mold and guide children along their path of life. These relationships form the bases of respect, guidance and trust.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is home to some of the most caring and disciplined coaches who not only instruct regarding sport, but also instruct regarding life. The sport teaches the importance of social and interpersonal skills.
Relationships can make, break and hinder many people, especially children. Having a healthy environment and positive relationships will encourage growth and cultivate new friendships built on mutual respect and teach tolerance.
Children often emulate the people they are surrounded around the most. Wouldn’t you want a positive role model for your youngin’?
These relationships can take form in peer to peer, coach to student and student to opponent.
Goals
Looking ahead to tomorrow and setting goals for the next day and the next are some of the things as human beings that keep us going from day to day. This is no different for children.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a skill, the martial arts’ belt system holds each child responsible and encouraged to complete their current skill level in order to move onto the next. Competitions and practice encourage this development. Doing something productive is crucial to finding meaning in their lives.
Setting goals for children to reach, hit and be able to go above and beyond keeps their energy and attention span honed in on the prize. It keeps them wanting to come back session after session, only looking forward to the next time in the gym rather than the street.
The commitment to reaching goals in the form of a sport like martial arts can help refrain children from becoming involved in delinquent acts as their dedication to succeed and progress will rank higher than allotting time for aimless and potentially dangerous activities.
Discipline
Discipline by the means of self-accountability and respect.
Discipline is critical for growth. It’s a guideline as to what is appropriate and what is not; what is socially acceptable and what is dangerous. Discipline is a form of moral code of decent humanity.
Amir Khan, professional boxer explained how in his younger years, he had two options: 1.) to go down the path with some of his friends by running the street or 2.) divert his energy into something positive.
That’s where boxing came in. Khan states: “Even though you think boxing is a contact sport, it teaches you not to fight on the street, to behave…it gives you discipline and self-control.”
Pursuing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will give students focus and understanding of what it means to commit to something. Commitment is a form of discipline and when you are a member of a team, club, or in pursuance of a goal system, it helps vest children into the meaning and responsibility of the engagement.
Overall, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu provides children with a positive sense of identity. Their energy can be channeled into a positive and productive light rather than negativity. Kids of all ages will benefit, so don’t wait, enroll your little today.
Source: Youth Sports NY
Source: The Guardian
Source: Saraharberson
Source: Crime Solutions